It was evident the Scotsman still had not come down from the high created by winning last year's event.

Trailing leader Billy Horschel by four stokes entering the final round, Laird shot a 9-under 63 to tie the course record and hold off Rory McIlroy for his only win of the year.

“To end with three birdies and get my hands on that trophy was a dream,” Laird said of his third career PGA Tour win and first since 2011.

But that wasn't the only reason the tournament's defending champion was smiling Monday.

Laird revealed he's soon to become a father for the first time. His wife, Meagan, is expecting the couple's first child March 6, three weeks before this year's Valero Texas Open, scheduled for March 27-30 at TPC San Antonio's AT&T Oaks Course.

Life is good right now.

“This is an exciting time for us,” he said.

The 2013 Texas Open was good for others, too, not just Laird.

The tournament benefited from its slot one week before the Masters with one of its strongest fields.

Tournament director Larson Segerdahl said that as a result of the strong field, galleries increased by 200 percent over the year before.

Changes made to the course — four greens were retooled in response to feedback from players bedeviled by the sharp runoffs and fast surfaces — impressed competitors, Segerdahl said.

The result looks to be another stellar field, two weeks before the Masters this time, as players such as Kuchar, ranked No. 8, and No. 9 Sergio Garcia, one of the hottest players on tour now, already committed to play.